If you want to get better at disc golf, where do you turn? Beyond YouTube, there is not an obvious answer. The infrastructure for improving in disc golf is simply not there. But times are changing. With programs in schools, innovative teaching, and future disc golf-specific facilities players will have more tangible options on how to grow in the sport. Let’s take a look at where disc golf is currently at and where it may go in the future.
Disc golf can be a fickle sport. One day your putter is hot and the next it’s not. Another day your tee shots are parked under the basket and another they’re in the drink. We all want to become better players and gain more consistency, but how do we get there? Through in-person instruction.
James Conrad threw the most incredible shot in disc golf history. The circumstances, shot shape, and clutchness all add gravitas to the moment. But “The Holy Shot” is much more than just a great disc golf shot. It has been billed as one of the greatest moments in sports history. That’s right, of any sport. Let’s break down the shot and look at how it is being perceived outside of the sport. But first, let’s get to know the man.
McBeth has achieved enough in disc golf to call it a successful career. While his personal successes are impressive, his newest endeavor is beginning his philanthropic career. He partnered with multiple individuals and companies in the disc golf industry to create the Paul McBeth Foundation. Let’s take a step back in time to see where it all started.
Disc golf and woods, woods and disc golf. They were meant for each other. One such location where you can find both of these together is Finland. They have seen a steady rise in course implementation, PDGA events, and PDGA membership since the early 2000s. Their numbers are so high that they currently hold the record for the most disc golf courses per capita. So, how did this little Nordic country become such a hotbed for disc golf? It’s a multifaceted answer.
James Conrad is your 2021 PDGA World Champion. It was a long and sometimes arduous road but he ascended to the top of our sport. Many people in the disc golf world questioned whether he could maintain his consistency with an entirely new lineup of discs. Conrad silenced his critics in a big way. So, let’s take a look at what’s in James Conrad’s bag.
Disc golf. Road trip. Either one of these activities conjures a spirit of adventure and fun with friends. But combine these two and you have a full fledged quest. They are both synonymous with adventure and lend themselves to spontaneity. You never know what is around the next corner and you must adapt to your circumstances. With a little bit of preparation and a whole lot of excitement you will be well on your way to new and uncharted courses. Let’s take a look at how to get there.
I found out about Ken “The Champ” Climo through throwing his signature line of Innova discs in the late 1990s. But at the time I didn’t know much about the man whose name graced my favorite disc. Ken Climo was known as a precision thrower with one of the best putts on tour. His competitive spirit, clutch performances, and unflappable focus made him the greatest disc golfer of all time. Climo was the originator of the modern era of disc golf and passed the baton off to our current generation of players to elevate the sport to what it is today. Let’s start back at the beginning.
Disc golf enters our lives in many ways. It does strange things to us. It pokes and prods and requests us to show up. We all have our own stories and I am here to share mine. While my story is certainly unique, it is not experienced alone. I have had countless conversations with fellow disc golfers in which our stories synchronize across many platforms of the sport. Whether it is through videos on YouTube, struggles with technique, or how we got hooked or our favorite course, we all share a common love for this wonderful sport.
Sports have rules. The understanding that all players must compete under the same framework of rules is what allows for fair competition. This is where disc golf sets itself apart from most other sports in that it is self-officiated. There are no officials prowling the course in striped shirts or lurking in the bushes calling infractions. Let’s take a look at the official PDGA rules and then unpack whether it would benefit the sport to bring in rules officials beyond the Tournament Director (TD).
